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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
DCNS extends its range of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion solutions
From 9 to 11 October, on the occasion of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF), taking place in Aruba (the Caribbean), DCNS will for the first time present its new on-shore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) concept. This will allow DCNS to extend its range of solutions for OTEC, a base load source of marine renewable energy.
To produce electricity, OTEC uses the temperature difference between the cold water and the warm surface water in tropical seas. Up until now, the OTEC concept developed by DCNS consisted of a floating system positioned a few kilometres from the shore. The DCNS teams have now extended their offer by proposing a new on-shore system, located along the shoreline.
Aruba, which will this year host the CREF, is an island in the Caribbean, a zone that is extremely favourable for OTEC. This energy conversion system offers base load renewable energy, which is particularly well-suited to island sites.
DCNS has developed an on-shore plant concept able to produce 3 to 6 Megawatts of electricity. This new solution responds to the electricity needs of small networks or infrastructures such as companies or hotels. The renewable energy produced in this way can be delivered locally to these infrastructures or directly to the power grid. Furthermore, the system may be coupled with a SWAC (Sea-Water Air Conditioning) installation, ideal for serving the needs of a hotel complex, where the power needs are essentially attributable to air conditioning. Other related applications are also under development, in particular in the areas of freshwater production or aquaculture.
The research and development work conducted by DCNS over the last five years on a high-power, floating offshore OTEC solution has allowed the development of this new concept. Since 2011, DCNS has been operating a small-scale and land-based prototype on La Réunion Island, testing the energy production system for future OTEC plants. The test campaigns performed on this prototype system have led to the performance validation of DCNS’s OTEC power module, which can be used for both offshore and on-shore plants.
Furthermore, for an on-shore system, deep seawater pumping solutions are already possible, using existing large pipes, which means that DCNS will be in a position to make offers for turnkey, on-shore OTEC plants before the end of this year. These offers may be developed in partnership with leading players from the energy sector.
Reminder: The principle of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) consists in exploiting the temperature difference between surface seawater, at about 25°C, and deep waters (–1000 m), at about 5°C. This difference in temperature exists naturally in tropical waters and allows the generation of electricity 24 hours a day, all year round.
DCNS : Sea the Future
DCNS believes that the sea is central to our planet’s future. The
Group is inventing high-tech solutions to sustainably secure and develop
its potential. DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative
player in energy. The Group’s success as an advanced technology company
with global reach is built on meeting the needs of its customers through
its exceptional know-how and unique industrial resources. DCNS designs,
builds and supports submarines and surface combatants. The Group proposes
services for naval shipyards and bases. It also develops solutions in
civil nuclear engineering and marine renewable energy. Committed to
sustainable development, DCNS was one of the first defence contractors
to achieve Group-wide certification to ISO 14001. The Group employs
13,200 people and generates annual revenues of €2.9 billion
.
www.dcnsgroup.com
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